South Korea (KR)
South Korea is a high-income East Asian democracy with world-class broadband, dense public transport, export-led technology giants, sophisticated healthcare, a powerful popular culture sector and one of Asia's most convenient urban lifestyles for expats who can adapt to Korean-language administration.
Social Security in South Korea
Benefits, contributions, and how the system works for expats.
Korea's four major social insurances are National Pension, National Health Insurance, Employment Insurance and Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance. 2026 contribution rates: National Pension 9% total (4.5% employee + 4.5% employer); NHIS 7.09% total (3.545% each) + 0.9182% long-term care surcharge; Employment Insurance 0.9% employee + 1.05–1.85% employer (varies by company size). All four apply to most employees including eligible foreign workers.
Alien Registration Number / Residence Card Number
Oegugin deungnok beonho
Apply for alien registration at immigration within 90 days for long-stay status. In 2026, Hi Korea (hikorea.go.kr) online appointment booking is required — walk-ins are not accepted at most immigration offices.
- Banking
- Phone verification
- NHIS
- National Pension
- Tax
- Employment
- Housing contracts
- Government portals
Benefits & Support Payments
National Pension
Gukmin yeongeum
Public pension contributions and old-age/disability/survivor benefits.
Many employees and residents aged 18-59 unless exempt by treaty/status.
Employer enrols workplace insured; regional residents through NPS.
National Health Insurance
Gukmin geongang boheom
Universal medical coverage with co-pays.
Eligible long-stay foreigners and employees.
Employer or NHIS.
Employment Insurance
Goyong boheom
Unemployment, maternity/parental and employment support benefits.
Covered employees meeting contribution/work conditions.
Employer enrolment; claims through Employment24/job center.
Industrial Accident Compensation
Sanjae boheom
Work injury and occupational disease cover.
Workers in covered workplaces.
KCOMWEL claim.
Basic livelihood security
Gicho saenghwal bojang
Means-tested welfare support.
Foreign eligibility is limited and status-specific.
Local resident center.
Contribution Overview
Employees usually see deductions for pension, health/long-term care and employment insurance. Employers separately pay matching/employer-only shares.
International Social Security Agreements
Korea has social security agreements with many countries to avoid double pension contributions and coordinate benefits. Coverage certificates matter for assignments.
Keep tax, pension and NHIS paid up: immigration increasingly checks compliance for extensions and long-term status. In 2026, the Korea Immigration Service cross-references NPS, NHIS, and NTS (tax) records during ARC renewal for E-series, F-2, and F-5 visa holders. Outstanding contributions or penalties can directly delay or block visa renewals. Request a Social Insurance payment confirmation certificate (사회보험료 납부확인서) annually from each institution.
Social Security
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